Anthony Weiner resigns from Congress, apologizes for 'embarrassment' he caused

Reporting from Washington and New York — Anthony Weiner announced his resignation from Congress on Thursday, apologizing for the "embarrassment" his personal behavior caused to his family and colleagues.

Standing without his wife but before a horde of media at a senior center in his Brooklyn district, Weiner said he had hoped to continue his work in the House but "unfortunately, the distraction that I created has made that impossible."

Resigning, Weiner said, will allow him to "continue to heal from the damage that I have caused."

Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, recently returned from overseas travel with her boss, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. His Democratic colleagues have been steadily ramping up pressure on him to step down, and were prepared to take further action had he tried to stay on.

Pandemonium erupted in the room as Weiner made his announcement, which lasted less than five minutes. "Bye-bye, pervert," one man screamed as others showed support for Weiner.

Weiner stared straight ahead and spoke over the shouts, again apologizing and taking responsibility for his downfall. He took no questions.

"About 20 years ago I stood in this very same room ... and asked my neighbors to take a chance on me," Weiner said at the senior center in Brooklyn's heavily Jewish Midwood neighborhood, where he first announced his candidacy for City Council. "I have never forgotten my neighbors."

He offered no indication of his future plans, saying only: "I got into politics to help give voice to the many who simply did not have one. Now I'll be looking for other ways to contribute my talents."